the happenings around here...

There is so much going on these days, I feel like I barely get finished with one day and another one is only hours away...

I enjoy it though, I must say I like the fast pace... don't get me wrong I like lounging around in my pajama's just as much as the next person but I enjoy spending days with family and friends, housework, homework, raising children... I love all that makes up this busy life.

Tonight my guy played a little on the guitar. It's been a long time since he has pulled out that guitar and played for us. I love that the kids don't even ask for the television to be turned on when Daddy is playing... they dance around and enjoy the sound. Hearing him play the guitar reminds me that this life doesn't have to be near as complicated as we sometimes make it out to be.



Everyone has been asking me about Miami... our trip has come and gone. It went well, exhausting, but good. Tony drove down with us and he stayed one night and left the following evening. The kids and I stayed until Friday. We juggled our time between visiting with family and taking Sophia to the many doctor's appointments that were lined up for that week. We really liked the doctor and Sophia was more than comfortable in Miami, in fact, she cried when we had to leave. We were driving in crazy traffic one morning and I said, "Who in there right mind would want to live her? What is so great about this place? and Why is everyone in such a hurry?" (way to be positive huh? hey- we all have our moments)Sophia squeals in the backseat, "This is the greatest city ever, they are in a hurry because it's MIAMI!!!" The appointments all went great and we learned a lot about how Sophia's brain works, how she processes information and the affects her seizures have had on her development... altogether she is a bright, witty, affectionate six year old who is the light of her momma's life and still has her Daddy wrapped tight around her little finger.



Troy on the other hand is not so thrilled with Miami. I felt pity on the poor guy most of the week. He rarely smiled... partly due to the horrible allergies he was struggling with (he was allergic to my cousin's dog, Tank, in the picture above) so that made it tough for him. But even more down because in Miami, "there is no forest and no dirt" You know what Troy loves... dirt... and forest.. a life without the forest and the dirt isn't a life worth living, in Troy's mind anyway. Before we even got home my mom had a load of clay delivered to her house, just for Troy (and she says I spoil him)and the day after we got home Troy spent two days at the farm, in the forest and dirt.



So, that's that.. just wanted to catch up since it has been awhile.

"what are you wearing?"

I called my husband today and asked, "Hey babe, what are you wearing?"

He laughed and I could tell there were people in the room as I realized what I had just asked him...

he responded with a serious tone, "khaki's and blue shirt"....

Yes, life sure has changed...

reason I was asking...

I was I was trying to determine if I should wait and wash his work clothes now or when he gets home... darks or lights that is the question. :)

my memories

Every once and a while I like to update on the "happenings around here"

My blog is not only my way of connecting with the outside world (since I spend my days trapped in this place with two monsters guarding my door) but it is also my journal. I love looking back at old blogs and reading what God has revealed to me at that time in my life, the important dates like Troy's first birthday, Sophia's cute little phrases, fun things we do together as a family... it's all on my blog... my blog is my journal to look back at the good memories and the not so good ones.

So tonight's blog is updating my memories :)

Tony is doing good at work. He is enjoying the new dealership. He likes working with his Dad, they make a good team. Tony is a good man, the kind of man who brings his exhausted wife a Coke Zero at the end of the night and kisses her forehead and tells her to go get a shower :) We have been staying up late every night working on the house, putting in new light fixtures, painting, building walkways outside at midnight (I'm sure our neighbors hate us). Tony's love for the Lord has grown and I'm so proud of him, happy for him and I see the change in his life. I adore him and I am so thankful that we have come this far. Our marriage is a blessing, it was fought for and it feels so good standing in the winner's circle with him. I'm holding out for a weekend getaway with my man soon, hint hint Tony... :)

Sophia is 6 years old, learning to read, loves math and continues to have her Daddy wrapped around her little finger. She never stops talking. She loves being homeschooled, co-op, Awana and most recently a little buckskin pony named, Coco. Most days Sophia is a joy to our home, she does like to provoke her brother as he does her, but most days she is our baby doll toting, makeup sneaking, always into something girly girl. Sophia hasn't had a seizure in a while now, we are seeking some alternative opinions and second opinions, I'm not ready yet but soon I'll give an update about all of that. We have some big appointments coming in the next two months, I'll keep you updated. She had her eye surgery and all went well, other than her new unique ability to breath out of her eyeball... I'm not kidding, I told her she's like a super hero now. I plan on talking to the doctor about it when she goes for her 3 month post op visit.



Troy is 4 years old, sweet little man, who loves his momma. He can't make a decision these days without "eni- meni- myni- mo-" which sounds cute but very well may drive me insane if he doesn't get over this phase soon. Troy eats everything, he is 35lbs now and quite proud of his skinny self. He walks around saying "I'm 35 points!" His favorite thing to eat is tomatoes... he eats them like apples. He waits all day for his Daddy to get home from work to "fight", he likes to wrestle and sword fight and would probably stay up all night "fighting" with his Daddy (his favorite super hero). He loves praying and every prayer starts with "Dear God, I hope we have a great day tomorrow-" Cutest. Thing. Ever.



That's all for now.. my productive day painting, playing outside, reading books and playing "Momma Bears" with the kids has worn me out.

Church bright and early tomorrow so I better get in bed... can't wait to worship our AWESOME God!!

double teamed...

All day long I feel double teamed...

Both hungry at the same time,

one protests something, the other chimes right in...

I have two hands and they are full 100% of the day with two wild monsters.

While I feel double teamed from 7am to 7pm, when Daddy walks through the door my partner in crime fighting is here.

We are like Batman and Robyn

I have my right hand man

My extra hands to get through the night.

I love that I can depend on him, count on him...

Tony is not the kind of Daddy who comes home and disappears into his room.

I cannot imagine doing this alone.

So many mommies do it alone and I'm so thankful for the one who comes in and evens the playing field every night at 7 o'clock.

Love you Tony!!

now that's an update....

I've been mentioning the big changes heading our way but I haven't really written about what those changes are...

I'll start with the most important...

This is a faith issue... Tony made the decision to commit his life to Christ and he has really stepped it up as the spiritual leader of our family. It is something I've prayed for many years. Something I'm so thankful for. It is a very real thing that the man is called by God to be the spiritual leader of his family. I will say from experience there is only so much a mother and wife can do without a God fearing husband- it is so nice to have a partner. But whoa baby... there is no holding us back now that we are both going in the same direction! A very wise couple shared with Tony and I once that a man and a woman are on the two bottom corners of a triangle, God is the point at the top, as they grow closer to God they follow the lines of the triangle and are pulled closer and closer together. This has never felt more real to me. Tony says for the first time in his life he feels like he is being lead, things aren't happening by chance and we are so excited to see what God is going to do next in our lives.

Second issue is a house one... some of you know that Tony and I went through a very difficult financial time when he lost his job of 12 years back in 2008. We lived in our "dream house" and lived very comfortably. After moving numerous times in 2008 and 2009 we ended up here. In a smaller rental house. The landlords have been great to us and we have enjoyed the home but it is time we begin to rebuild. We are in the process of purchasing a home. Tony and I would lay awake at night talking about how we would rebuild, we would have nice cars again, I dreamed about a double oven, he dreamed of having an office again... well, fast forward almost four years later and ask me if any of that is important?
We are buying an almost 1,000 sft. home that currently has no floors and needs a new roof... but ask me and it is my dream home! This home will be ours, for our family and this little home will enable us to do what we now know is the most important - spend time together as a family. We def won't be house poor and it is walking distance to our church. The inspection went well, lots of issues, but all things we were prepared to fix, it's def a project but we will do it together and if any of our friends would like to help, you know where to reach me! I should know a closing date this week.

Third issue is a work one... Tony and his Dad are at it again. The way they like it, father/son duo. They teamed with a Christian man to open a new RV dealership in Ocala. They are excited and it is heartwarming to see that excitement in both of their eyes again. I look at my father in law and I know he has his son's (all three of them)best interest at heart. I look at my husband and I know no matter what, his father is his hero. I know my son will feel the same way someday and for that I am thankful and seeing Marco and Tony together it makes my heart jump, thinking about the future for Tony and Troy. I am so thankful that Marco made the choice to be a leader for his family, I see how Tony learns from his Dad, that's building a legacy people. So, Tony is supposed to begin working in Ocala this week.

So- That is the bundle of change in a few short paragraphs.

Hopefully, I will be able to update more later... some funny stories about how I am preparing to downsize yet again- it's all mental and a little insanity, but I'll share more on that later.

I'm fighting a cold and I'm sure this weather change isn't helping...
Sophia had a rough night (seizure activity of some kind) so I didn't get much sleep.

I got a nap and coffee, now off to the grocery store...

Oh and I got the Christmas Tree up... cute huh? Still more decorations to put up and I have to finish the tree skirt but I couldn't resist posting a photo.

men of courage

Tony and I went and saw the movie Courageous tonight.

I so recommend it... I felt such pride sitting next to my man, who is a man of courage, who is a leader to his wife, his children.



as I watched I was reminded of just what an important job my man has...

He was called by God to be the protector, caretaker, provider and spiritual leader for our family.

My man works hard to take care of the ones he loves.

He takes pride in his role as my man and their Daddy.



His children adore him, they hate it when he leaves for work but love it when he comes home in the evenings.

He was off today and I watched him play with his boy, snuggle with his girl and cater to his wife...

When I watched the movie and was reminded of this job that fathers have... the job so many fathers fail to do... I praised God for the man He put in my life, the father of my children, the courageous leader of our home.

Pray for your man tonight, they are called to do a big job, encourage them, lift them up...



I'm off to love on my courageous man :)

Good Night Y'all.

Tony's Gun Safe

For Valentines Day Tony got another gun... yes, another.. actually two of them. He was supposed to pick up one gun that we agreed on getting him for Valentines Day and the stinker picked up two... just as Tony says, "I can't send my wife into a shoe store and expect her to come out with just one pair." Well, I can't send Tony in a gun shop and expect him to come out with just one.
So- now that he has another gun, or two... it is time to invest in a gun safe. We keep the guns out of reach of the children, of course, ammo and guns in separate places, but the time has come to invest a pretty penny in a lovely gun safe, here's to our tax return!
Now to just figure out how I will make it look pretty, since it will be making it's home in our already cramped bedroom... I think I may put some pillar candles on top of it. I'll be sure to take pictures of it once it arrives.. he did get a good deal, free shipping on a 182lb safe. Ai- yi- yi

If you were on a deserted island and could only take one thing what would it be?

First response to this question was....
TONY! He can build a fire with sticks. ;)
He really can.. he is quite the survivalist. Do you guys ever watch Man vs. Wild? I swear that man, Bear, makes the Crocodile Hunter roll over in his grave, did you know he killed and ate an alligator on the last episode!? Well, I think that Bear guy is Tony's favorite person on TV. So, my first answer to what I would take with me on a deserted island? Tony! What would you take?? First thing to come in your mind??

Now, Sophia is doing alright with the medication changes. I think she may have had some seizure activity today though, it's so hard to tell. We have been gradually weaning off and up until this point I haven't noticed anything abnormal. Tony and I are very hypersensitive to her though. I picked her up from school and she was crying, which she never is, she said her tummy was hurting but she was pointing to her heart, ate her lunch, looked kind of gray, said she wanted her doctor, really cranky... then she got a bath (disinfected) before nap time... seemed fine, but I noticed her eye was droopy which happens when she has seizures, don't really know what all that was about!? She is sleeping now though and went to bed happy.
On the positive side she seems to be much more alert and a bit hyper at times, sometimes has a hard time focusing, tells me she feels hyper... but soo happy! That makes me feel good.
It's so bittersweet. I love seeing her weaning of the medication and the possibilities of not being on medication, then this... the episodes, the unknown. I just want to get through the test and go from there. So hard not to get excited about her not being on medication, but I have to remind myself that she may need it, this episode today reminded me of that.
The teacher at school said she was building and tower with blocks and someone knocked it over, they said she got really upset about it... might have been something that triggered this episode.
Goodness, I need a nap! ;)
Hope everyone is having a lovely yet prayerful day...

Send up your prayers today for families who have an angel in heaven.